Antti Niemi won the Stanley Cup and all it cost him was his job.
That is the harsh and impersonal reality when sports and economics clash, when teams have to dance around both salary caps and budgets, when circumstances of contractual obligations clash with the emotions of a championship victory.
As a goaltender who almost came from nowhere, Niemi played a huge role in the Blackhkawks historical Stanley Cup victory. He was the blank face in the dressing room, forever calm no matter the circumstances. He played by the rules. He took the Blackhawks to arbitration and ostensibly he won, being awarded $2.75 million US on a one-year arrangement.
He won -- and because of it he lost.
Do you think the Blackhawks can repeat as Stanley Cup champions after losing another piece of their championship? Have your say in our forum.
What a kick in the nards. I hope Chicago doesn't even make the playoffs next year. Talk about a pack of jerks. Niemi deserved better.
Jimmy, 2010-08-03 12:00:37
It's difficult enough for ANY team to repeat as Cup champions in recent years, let alone one that has had to systematically dismantle itself due to cap restraints. They are still good enough to be considered contenders, certainly, but winning it all is likely out of reach. Tha Huet and Campbell contracts are killing them, and I don't see Wirtz paying Huet to play in the minors. Both are untradeable.
Gary O., 2010-08-03 10:52:06
No, the odds are against it and now that they have not re-hired a guy instrumental in that win, I think their chances are even less now. I hope it gets a better deal somewhere else and shows Chicago how winners should be treated.
gerry, 2010-08-03 10:51:44
Can the Blackhawks repeat as Stanley Cup champions?
Jimmy, 2010-08-03 12:00:37
Gary O., 2010-08-03 10:52:06
gerry, 2010-08-03 10:51:44